Road numberSwitzerland

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Switzerland. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.


54. Road number

A road number is a number or combination of letters and numbers used to identify a particular road or route within a road network. Road numbers help drivers follow routes, distinguish between different types of roads and navigate between cities, regions and countries.

Road numbers are commonly displayed on route markers and direction signs. Their format, colour and prefixes vary between countries and may indicate whether a route is a motorway, national road, regional road or international route.

Road number
Direction signs using road numbers. (Motorway A1, Switzerland)
Wikimedia.org • Gestrandete 55-cm-Geschirrspülmaschine • CC BY-SA
How are road or route numbers identified in Switzerland?

Swiss number panels distinguish European E-routes, motorways and semi-motorways, and principal roads. The motorway and semi-motorway panel has a white number on red; the principal-road panel has a white number on blue. Read the panel with the destination and road-category signs.

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: OSR56,4.56-4.59; LCR27,32

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Traffic Rules Ordinance, state1October2026

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Road Traffic Act, state1July2026

Does a route number by itself establish a speed limit in Switzerland?

No. A route number is an identification and navigation reference. Legal speed limits and other restrictions come from the applicable road category, vehicle rules and regulatory signs; the same route number may include sections with different limits.

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: OSR56,4.56-4.59; LCR27,32

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Traffic Rules Ordinance, state1October2026

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Road Traffic Act, state1July2026

What should you check when following a numbered route in Switzerland?

Check the route number, destination, direction and junction or exit signs. If the route shares the road with another number or continues onto a different road class, follow the signs rather than relying solely on a navigation app.

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: OSR56,4.56-4.59; LCR27,32

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Traffic Rules Ordinance, state1October2026

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Road Traffic Act, state1July2026

1 Switzerland 2 Motorway 3 Expressway 4 Residential area 5 Zone 6 Speed limit 7 Minimum speed 8 Footpath 9 Bike path 10 Shared-use path 11 Tunnel 12 Pedestrian zone 13 Customs 14 One-way traffic 15 Slope 16 Bus lane 17 Bus stop 18 Dead end 19 Stop sign 20 Give way 21 Roundabout 22 Priority road 23 Road narrowing 24 Priority over oncoming traffic 25 Give way to oncoming traffic 26 Pedestrian crossing 27 Railway crossing 28 Mandatory direction 29 Turn prohibition 30 School area 31 Overtaking 32 Crossing animals 33 Slippery road 34 Rockfall 35 Aircraft 36 Curve 37 Chevron 38 Wrong-way driving 39 Roadworks 40 Crosswind 41 Height limit 42 Width limit 43 Length limit 44 Weight limit 45 Intersection direction sign 46 Priority at the next junction 47 Traffic lights 48 Traffic lights warning 49 Pedestrian lights 50 Road markings 51 Junction layout 52 Driving licence 53 Location marker 54 Road number 55 Countdown markers 56 Traffic mirror 57 Emergency telephone 58 International border 59 Pedestrian underpass 60 Cycling route 61 End of restriction 62 Parking 63 No parking 64 No stopping 65 Parking disc 66 Reversing 67 U-turn 68 Traffic jam 69 Detour 70 Uncontrolled crossroad 71 Road surface 72 Exit 73 Information point 74 Horse riding 75 Emergency exit 76 Runaway truck ramp 77 Radio service 78 Oversize load 79 City limit 80 Hospital 81 Parking garage 82 Passing place 83 Pedestrian overpass 84 Axle weight limit 85 Licence plate 86 Charging station 87 Dangers 88 Weather 89 Turn on red 90 Pedestrian 91 Cyclist 92 Moped 93 Motorcycle 94 Car 95 Truck 96 Bus 97 Police 98 Ambulance 99 Tailgating 100 European emission standard ...